Epsom Salt Crystals

Epsom salts were first obtained by boiling the mineral water at a place called Epsom in England, and hence its name. Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate and it has been used for relieving muscle pain. But relieve from muscle pain by using Epsom salt does not have any scientific evidence and is more in the nature of folk remedies. However Epsom salts also has some other medicinal uses like treating nail fungus, athlete's foot and as a laxative. Epsom crystals are quite safe to use and you can even grow your own Epsom crystals at home.

Epsom Salt Facts and Uses

Here are some facts about Epsom salt along with its uses.

• The most popular use of Epsom salt is in salt baths. One to two cups of Epsom crystals are dissolved in a hot bath and immersing your body in this Epsom salt bath will soothe tired muscles.
• Epsom crystals are also added to potting soil as fertilizer, particularly while growing roses. It increases the level of magnesium in soil which makes the plants grow healthy.
• Epsom crystals is also used as a coagulant while making tofu.
• A foot soak made by dissolving half a cup of Epsom salt removes foul odor from feet, softens rough skin and relaxes the feet.
• Medical uses of Epsom salts are in the treatment of problems like athlete's foot, fungal infection of nails as well as for reducing bruises and sprains.
• Epsom salt can also be used as a face and body scrub. Just take a handful of epsom salt and mix it with extra virgin olive oil. Massage this Epsom salt scrub in gentle circular motion all over your body for removing dead skin and having smooth glowing skin.
• A natural hair volumizing formulation can also be made with Epsom bath salts. Just combine equal amounts of Epsom salt with your favorite conditioner and fill this inside a small bottle.
• Epsom salts also help to soak up excess oil from hair. All you need to do is to dissolve 8 to 10 tablespoon of Epsom salt in ½ cup of shampoo and apply one tablespoon of this concoction to your dry hair.
• Using a mixture of Epsom crystals dissolved in liquid dish detergent is very effective for cleaning bathroom tiles.
• Epsom salt crystals can also be used in various beauty treatments and one such treatment is for removing blackheads. Just dissolve a tablespoon of Epsom salt and iodine in a cup of boiling water and apply this mixture on the blackheads with a cotton ball.

How to Make Epsom Crystals

How do Epsom crystals form? Well, it is easy to make Epsom salt crystals at home. All you need is

• Epsom salts
• Shallow dish or bowl
• 1 cup hot water
• Food coloring (optional)
• Stirrer

Procedure

Pour the hot water into the shallow dish or bowl and add a bit of Epsom salts into the hot water. Stir the water until you see all the crystals dissolving. Once the salt crystals have dissolved in the hot water, add more Epsom salt and stir them until dissolved. Keep adding Epsom salts into the hot water solution until no more crystals can be dissolved. Now add a drop or two of food coloring and place the shallow dish inside the refrigerator, undisturbed for about 3 hours. After three hours, you will see that the dish is filled with thin crystals that are very fragile.

This was all about Epsom salt, its uses and how they are formed. Now that you know the benefits of Epsom salt, you can use them to ease muscle pain and also in many beauty treatments.